Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 2,100 jobs from last month and increased by 3,700 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 1,000 jobs from last month and decreased by 800 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 400 people from the previous month and increased by 800 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 1.4 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 0.7 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 2.1 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 900 jobs from the previous month and increased by 2,800 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 900 jobs . Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 2,800 jobs .

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas : 19,700 workers.
• Construction : 7,100 workers.
• Agriculture : 0 workers.
• Utilities : 0 workers.
• Manufacturing : 0 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, which together account for a substantial share of the workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade : 10,800 workers.
• Health care and social assistance : 7,900 workers.
• Educational services : 5,700 workers.

In the Services sector, Health Care, Retail, and Professional Services lead employment, representing a dominant portion of the workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Public administration : Change of 600 workers ( increased by 13.64 %).
• Wholesale and retail trade : Change of 500 workers ( increased by 4.85 %).
• Business, building and other support services : Change of 500 workers ( decreased by 13.89 %).
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas : Change of 400 workers ( increased by 2.07 %).
• Other services (except public administration) : Change of 400 workers ( increased by 12.5 %).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Educational services : Change of 2,400 workers ( decreased by 29.63 %).
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas : Change of 1,800 workers ( increased by 10.06 %).
• Wholesale and retail trade : Change of 1,700 workers ( increased by 18.68 %).
• Public administration : Change of 1,600 workers ( increased by 47.06 %).
• Construction : Change of 1,600 workers ( decreased by 18.39 %).
• Agriculture : Change of 1,600 workers ( decreased by 100 %).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in December 2024 was 11,950, showing a substantial decrease of 280. relative to December, employment levels decreased by 910, experiencing pressure.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 58.3% in December 2024. This represents a decline of 1.4 percentage points from November (59.7%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 4.8 percentage points from 63.1%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 7.4% in December 2024, down 0.0 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (6.7%), the rate has increased by 0.7 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The strong correlation (0.76) between regional and local employment levels indicates very similar employment patterns at both geographic levels. This suggests that local employment closely follows regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.72) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of -0.34 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Lac la Biche County consists of the following communities: Smoky Lake County, Vilna, Waskatenau, Smoky Lake, Lac la Biche County, Improvement District No. 349, Beaver Lake 131, Heart Lake 167, Athabasca County, Mewatha Beach, Boyle, Sunset Beach, Athabasca, Island Lake, Island Lake South, Bondiss, South Baptiste, West Baptiste, Whispering Hills .